Spring supported chair



b- 1952 A. E. JOHNSON SPRING SUPPORTED CHAIR Filed Aug. 23, 1945 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Feb. 26, 1952 A. E. JOHNSON 2,586,951

SPRING SUPPORTED CHAIR Filed Aug. 23, 1945 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Patented Feb. 26, 1952 SPRING SUPPORTED CHAIR Arthur E. Johnson, St. Louis; Mm, assignor of forty one-hundredths to Dorothy K. S. Johnson St. Louis,.Moi

Application August 23, 1945, Serial No. 612,154

19 Claims.

This invention relates to spring supported chairs or seats. The invention has for" its principal objects to provide a spring supported chair or seat that is readily yieldable to accommodate itself to the size, shape, weight and movements of the occupant; that'will produce a rocking, tilting', bouncing and/or to and fro motion when the occupant sways his body or presses: his foot against the floor or other stationary support; that will provide a well balanced. and softly resilient support in all occupied positions of the chair;

that will reduce to a minimum the upward pressure of the front edge of the-tilted seat-on the knees of the occupant; that will permit the chair who placed with its back close to a wall without interfering with. the rearward til-ting movement of the back; and that will automatically return to erect normal position when the chair is Va.- cated. Other objects are to provide for strength and durability, simplicity and economy and compactness and. lightness in weight. The invention consists in the spring supported chair" and in the construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and; claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of. this specification and wherein like symbolsrefer to like parts: wherever they occur,

Fig. 1 is aside elevational view of' an unoccupied spring supported chair embodying my invention,..

Fig. 2. is a top: plan view of thechair'shown in Fig. I,

Fig. 3 is avertical cross, sectional view on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1,

Fig. i is. a view similar to Fig- 1, showing one position of the; chair under the. weight of an occupant,

Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to; Fig. 1-. showing two modified forms of the invention,

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing another modification. of the invention,

Fig. 8' is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing one position of the chair under the weight of anoccupant; and

Figs. 9 and 10 are views similar to Fig. 1, showing: two further modifications of the invention.

The spring supported chair shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, "of the accompanying drawings comprises. a flat base frame A, twin plate spring pedestals B rising from opposite sides of said base frame, rearwardly extending cantilever plate springs C fixed. to the tops of saidpedestals, and a seat D and back E' sustained by the free rear end portions of said cantilever plate springs, The base' frame A is made upof spaced parallel side bars I connected by end and intermediate cross bars 2. The seat D and back E are preferably connected together in fixed relation; and angle bar arms 3 are rigidly secured at their rear ends to the side edges of said back and are supported from the side edges of said seat by braces 4 thatv incline upwardly and rearwardly' from points spaced rearwardly of the front edge thereof.

Each of the plate spring pedestals 3- comprises a forwardly tilted or inclined upright intermediate portion 5-, a, rearwardly curved lower end portion 6 terminating in a. horizontally disposed rear end I that seats on and is riveted or otherwise rigidly secured flatwise to there'ar end portion of the side rail l of the base frame A, and a forwardly curved free upper end. portion 8... As shown in; the drawings, the forward ends of the rearwardly extending cantilever plate springs C or levers seat on and are riveted or otherwiserigidly secured to the curved upper end portions. 8 of the plate spring pedestals B at or: slightly forward of the highestpoints. of said portions, while the outstanding top flangesof the angle bar arms 3 of the chair seat. on and are riveted orotherwise rigidly securedfiatwise. to the free rear end portions of said cantilever plate springs but are spaced above the front ends thereof. The two plate spring pedestals B are connected together for joint movementby means of a cross bar 9. As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, when the chair is unoccupied, the seat D is disposed substantially horizontal with. its front edge in substantially flush alinement' with the front edge of the base frame A, while the back E is disposed substantially vertical and in substantially flush alinement with the rear edge of said base frame.

By the arrangement described the seat and back are sustained by the downwardly yieldable free rear end portions of the plate spring cantilivers C and the weight of the occupant is transmitted by these: cantilevers to the forwardly curved upper ends of the plate spring pedestals B, which swing forwardly and downwardly under such weightv and cause their curved. lower end portions 6 tov roll or rock forwardly on the side rails IV of the base frame A. At the same time, the seat. and back are tilted rearwardly to suit the comfort and leg length of the occupant, thereby causing the depressed front endportions of theplate. spring cantilevers or levers C to bend or wraparound the cylindrical top portion 8 of the plate spring pedestals B. Thus, the chair is readily yieldable to accommodate itself to the occupant and a free rocking, tilting, bouncing and/or to or fro motion. may be readily produced inall distorted conditions of the pedestals when the occupant sways his. body or presses his foot against the floor or other stationary support. A well balanced and softly resilient support is provided in all occupied positions of the chair; and the chair will automatically return to the erect normal position when vacated. The seat and back move forwardly under the weight of the occupant, thereby permitting the chair to be placed with its back close to a wall without interfering with the rearward tilting movement of the back. When the chair is tilted rearwardly, the area of contact between the cantilever plate springs or levers C and the convexly curved upper end portions 8 of the plate spring pedestals B is increased, thereby reducing the free length of the cantilevers so that the rigidity thereof increases with increasing deflection. This shortening of the effective length of the cantilevers also brings about a substantial reduction in the upward pressure of the front edge of the tilted seat beneath the knees of the occupant.

, Other advantages of the above chair are its strength and durability, light weight and compactness and simplicity and cheapness and the facility with which it may be assembled.

The modification shown in Fig. 5 is similar to that shown in Fig. 1, except that the plate spring cantilevers Cl are upwardly bowed from end to end and have their rear end portions spaced from the arms 3 by means of spacing blocks l0. With this arrangement, the arms 3 of the chair seat on the bowed cantilevers Cl intermediate between the ends thereof and thus shorten the effective length of the cantilever.

In the construction shown in Fig. 6 a single plate spring pedestal BI is located beneath the seat D and the free rear end of the plate spring cantilever C2 is bent upwardly around the lower portion of the back E and riveted or rigidly secured flatwise thereto.

, The modified construction shown in Figs. '7 and 8 is similar to that shown in Fig. 1, except that the horizontally disposed rear end '1 of the rearwardly curved lower end portion 6 of the .plate spring pedestal B2 seats on and is rigidly secured to the free end of a separate plate spring H, which seats on and is rigidly secured at its forward end to the side rail l of the base. With this arrangement, the pedestal B2 rocks forward on its lower curved end portion (5 and the free end of the plate spring or lever II curls upwardly around said curved portion and thus yieldably resists such forward tilting movement of said pedestal.

The chair shown in Fig. 9 is provided. with rigid pedestal frames B3 having rounded lower ends 6b that are rigidly secured to the free rear end portions of plate springs or levers ll that seat on and have their front ends rigidly secured to the side rails l of the base A. These rigid pedestal frames'incline upwardly and forwardly and have round upper ends 8 to which the front ends of the cantilever plate springs C3 are secured. With this arrangement, the pedestal frames B3 are adapted to swing forwardly and downwardly under the weight of the occupant and this swinging movement is yieldably resisted by the bottom plate springs I I, while the cantilever plate springs C3 afford vertical resiliency and permit tilting movement of the seat and back in all positions of the supporting pedestals- In the construction shown in Fig. 10, the pedestals B4 are rendered substantially rigid by means of inclined braces l2 extending from the upper portions thereof .to thebase A; and the seat and back are sustained by means of bowed plate spring cantilevers C4 similar to those shown in Fig. 5. The arrangement shown in Fig. 10 decreases the forward bodily movement of the seat and back while the cantilevers serve to resiliently support said seat and back while permitting them to tilt in the manner hereinbefore described.

Obviously, my invention admits of considerable modification in the design of the pedestals and cantilevers supported thereby, and I do not wish to be limited to the specific constructions shown and described.

What I claim is:

1. A chair comprising a seat and a back and arms associated therewith and supporting means includinga pedestal disposed beneath each arm and a cantilever plate spring seated on and fixed to the top of said pedestal and extending rearwardly therefrom beneath said arm to afford support therefor and secured thereto at its free rear end only.

2. A chair comprising a seat and supporting means therefor including a pedestal having a forwardly extending free upper end portion with a rounded top surface disposed rearwardly of the front end of said seat, and a cantilever plate spring fixed to said rounded top surface and extending rearwardly directly therefrom with its free rear end operatively connected to said seat to yieldably support the same.

3. A chair comprising a seat and supporting means therefor including a pedestal with a convex top surface and a cantilever plate spring fixed to said surface and extending rearwardly of said convex top surface with its free rear end operatively connected to said seat to yieldably support the same, and means for supporting said pedestal for limited forward and backward rocking movement.

4. A chair comprising a seat and supporting means therefor including a plate spring pedestal having a rearwardly curved lower end portion and a forwardly curved free upper end portion with a convex top surface, a cantilever plate spring seated on and fixed to the convex top surface of said curved upper end portion of said plate spring pedestal and extending rearwardly therefrom with its rear end portion operatively connected to said seat to support the same.

5. A chair comprising a seat and supporting means therefor including a base, a plate spring pedestal having a rearwardly curved lower end portion seated on and secured to said base and a forwardly curved upper end portion, a cantilever plate spring seated on and secured to the top of said forwardly curved upper end portion forwardly of the summit thereof and extending rearwardly thereof with its free rear end portion operatively connected to said seat to afford support therefor, whereby the weight and movement of an occupant of said chair are adapted to cause said plate spring pedestal to rock forward and backwards on the curved lower end portion thereof and said cantilever plate spring is adapted to swing downwardly around the curved upper end portion of said plate spring pedestal and thereby decrease the effective length of said cantilever plate spring.

6. A chair comprising a seat and supporting means therefor including a bottom plate spring having a fixed forward end and a free rear-end, a plate spring pedestal having a rearwardly curved lower end portion whose free rear end seats on and is rigidly secured to the free rear end of said bottom plate spring, said pedestal having a free forwardly rounded top surface disma am posed rearwardly of the front end of said seat and a forwardly tilted intermediate portion, and a cantilever plate spring seated on and-fixed. to said forwardly rounded top surface adjacent to the summit thereof and extending rearwardly thereof with its free end clear of said pedestal and operatively connected to said seat to support the same.

7. A chair comprising a seat and supporting means therefor including a bottom plate spring having a fixed forward end anda free rear end, a plate spring pedestal having a rearwardly directed lower end portion that seats onand is rigidly secured to the free. rear end of'said bottom plate spring and said pedestal having a free forwardly rounded top surface disposed rearwardly of the front end of said seat, and a. cantilever plate spring seated on and fixed to said. forwardly rounded top surface adjacent to. the summit thereof and extending rearwardly thereof with its free end clear of said pedestal and operatively connected to said seat to support the same.

8. A chair comprising a seat and a back and arms associated therewith and supporting means therefor including a pedestal located beneath each arm and having a free rounded top surface disposed rearwardly of the front end of saidseat, and a cantilever plate spring seated on and fixed to the rounded top surface of said pedestal and projecting rearwardly therefrom with its rear end portion only rigidly secured to the under side of said arm.

9. A chair comprising a seat and a back and arms associated therewith and supporting means therefor including a pedestal located beneath each arm and having a free forwardly rounded top surface disposed rearwardly of the front end of said seat, and a, cantilever plate spring seated on and fixed to the rounded top surface of said pedestal and projecting rearwardly therefrom with its rear end portion rigidly secured to said arm, and a block interposed between said arm and the free rear end of the cantilever plate spring fixed thereto, said cantilever plate spring being bowed upwardly between its ends to support said arm forwardly of said block.

10. A chair comprising a seat and supporting means therefor including a substantially rigid pedestal having a free forwardly rounded top surface ,disposed rearwardly of the front end of said seat and a cantilever plate spring seated on and secured to the rounded top surface of said pedestal and extending directly therefrom rearwardly thereof with its free rear end portion operatively connected to said seat to afford support therefor.

11. A chair comprising a seat and supporting means therefor including a substantially rigid pedestal having a forwardly extending free rounded top surface disposed rearwardly of the front end of said seat, and a cantilever plate spring seated on and secured to the rounded top surface of said pedestal and extending directly therefrom rearwardly thereof with its free rear end portion operatively connected to said seat to afford support therefor.

12. A chair comprising a seat and supporting means therefor including a base, a rigid rocker frame having a convexly curved lower end portion, a free rounded top surface disposed rearwardly of the front end of said seat a cantilever plate spring secured to the convexly curved lower end portion of said rocker frame and to said base supporting said frame for limited forward and backward rocking movement on said base; and,

a separate. cantilever plate spring seated on and secured to said rounded top surface. and extending directly rearwardly therefrom clear of said pedestal with its free rear end portion operatively connected to said seat. to aiford support therefor.

13. A chair comprising a seat and a back and arms associated therewith and supporting means including a plate spring pedestal located beneath each arm and having a. rearwardly curved lower end portion, said pedestal having a free forwardly extending free rounded top surface disposed rearwardly of the front end of said seat and a forwardly tilted intermediate portion, a bottom plate spring secured to said base and having a free rear end portion disposed beneath and secured to said curved lower end portion of said pedestal, and a cantileverplate spring seated. on and fixed to said forwardly extending rounded top surface thereof and extending rearwardly therefrom with its rear free end rigidly secured to the underside of said arm'.

14. A. chair comprising a base, an. upright plate spring having a free forwardly rounded top surface and a rearwardly curved. lower end portion whose.- rear end seats on and is rigidly secured to said base, a cantilever plate spring seated on and rigidly secured to said forwardly rounded top surface adjacent to the free end thereof and extending directly rearwardly therefrom, and a seatsupported on said cantilever plate spring and rigidly secured to the free end only thereof, said rounded top portion disposed rearwardly: of the front end of said seat, whereby the weight and movement of an occupant of said chair are adapted to cause said. rearwardly curved lower end portion of said. uprightv spring plate to flex and roll on said base and permit tilting movementv of said upright plate spring and said cantilever plate spring. to bend downwardly around said rounded. top surface of said upright plate spring and permit tilting movement of said seat relative to said upright plate spring in all positions of the latter- 15.. A chain comprising a seat, a horizontal member, means for supporting. said. seat on said member which includes a pedestal having convexly curved upper and lower ends, a lever connected to the upper side of said horizontal member and the lower convexly' curved portion of said pedestal supporting said seat for forward and rearward movement over said member; and a spring plate cantilever attached to the seat at a point rearwardly of the front edge. of the seat and having a curved portion secured to the. forwardly extending upper convex portion of the H pedestal in rocking relation, thereby shifting the zone of engagement of the cantilever with the pedestal and varying the efiective length of the cantilever as the seat is moved in a longitudinal direction over the horizontal member.

16. A chair assembly comprising a seat, a horizontal base, means for supporting said seat on said base including a pedestal having convexly curved upper and lower end portions, means supporting the lower curved portion of the pedestal consisting of a lever connected to the upper part of said horizontal base and to the lower convex portion of said pedestal for permitting limited rolling movement of the seat forwardly and rearwardly over the base; and a spring plate cantilever extending rearwardly of the forwardly extending upper curved portion of the pedestal and connected in supporting relation to the seat at a point rearwardly of the front edge thereof, the cantilever having a curved surface portion secured to the curved upper portion of the pedestal in rocking relation thereto, whereby the zone of the cantilever engaging the pedestal is shifted in a manner to vary the effective length of the cantilever between the pedestal and the seat as the seat and pedestal are moved longitudinally of the base.

17. A chair assembly comprising a seat, a horizontal base, means for supporting said seat on said base including a pedestal having convexly curved upper and lower end portions, means supporting the curved lower end of said pedestal on said horizontal base including a curved portion secured to the lower curved portion of said pedestal for permitting shifting of said seat longitudinally with respect to the base, said pedestal rounded top surface disposed rearwardly of the front end of said seat; and a spring plate cantilever connecting the seat to the curved forwardly extending upper end of the pedestal, said cantilever being seated on and extending directly rearwardly of the curved upper end of the pedestal and having an end portion operatively secured to the seat for supporting same, said cantilever element having a curved surface secured to the upper convexly curved surface of said pedestal, the different parts of which engage said rounded top pedestal surface as the pedestal is shifted, thereby varying the effective length of the cantilever element in response .to pedestal movement.

18. A chair assembly comprising a seat, a horizontal base, means for supporting said seat on said base ,including a pedestal having rounded upper and lower ends, means secured to the horizontal base and connected to the rounded lower end of said pedestal including a curved portion secured to the lower rounded end of the pedestal for permitting shifting of said seat longitudinally of said base; and a spring plate cantilever element connecting the seat to the forwardly extending rounded upper end of said pedestal and disposed rearwardly of the front edge of said seat, said cantilever being seated on and extending directly rearwardly of the rounded upper surface of the pedestal and having an end portion operatively secured to the seat for supporting same, said cantilever having a curved surface secured to the rounded upper end of the pedestal, the different parts of which engage said rounded top pedestal as the pedestal is shifted, thereby varying the currently effective length of the cantilever in response to pedestal movement with respect to the base.

19. A chair assembly comprising a seat, a horizontal base, means for supporting said seat on said base including a pedestal having rounded upper and lower end portions, means secured to the horizontal base and having a curved portion secured to the rounded lower end of the pedestal for permitting shifting of the seat longitudinally of the base, a spring plate cantilever connecting the seat to the pedestal rearwardly of the front end of said seat, the cantilever being seated upon and extending rearwardly of the forwardly extending upper rounded surface of the pedestal and having an end portion operatively connected to the seat for supporting same, said cantilever having a curved surface'on the upper rounded end of the pedestal, the different parts of which engage the rounded top of the pedestal as the pedestal is shifted in a manner to decrease the effective length of the cantilever element when the seat is moved forwardly, the pedestal being so located and the cantilever so connected to the seat as to tilt the front portion of same upwardly when the seat is moved forwardly.

ARTHUR E. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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